Can.



No. 738,892. PATENTED SEPT. 15, 1903.

E. EGKART.

CAN.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 19, 1903.

no MODEL.

I I B llwwow awuoA vboz UNITED STATES Patented September 15, 1903..

PATENT OFFICE.

CAN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 738,892, dated September 15, 1903. Application filed May 19, I903. SerialNo. 167,760. (No model.)

. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cans, of which the following is a specification, accompanied by drawings.

This invention relates to improvements in cans or receptacles for fruits, liquids, and other suitable materials; and its object is to improve upon the means for closing the can. Another object ofthe invention is to enable'the can or other receptacle to be closed by means of a frictional spring-top closure, which affords a tight seal without the use of solder.

Further objects of the invention will hereinafter appear; and to these ends the invention consists of a device for carrying out the above objects embodying the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts having the general mode of operation substantially as hereinafter fully described and claimed in this specification and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- H Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the can embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view. Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view showing the relation of the spring parts of thecan to the cover before the cover is placed upon the can. 7

Referring to the drawings, A represents a can or other sheet-metal receptacle provided with a top portion B, suitably secured thereto. As shown in this instance, the inner edges of the .top portion B are bent downwardly and inwardly, as shown at C, and then upwardly and outwardly again to'form the loop portion D. The upwardly and outwardly'bent portion of the top B is shown flaring outwardly at E in order to obtain the greatest amount of friction when the cover F is placed on the can, as hereinafter to be described;

The sheet-metal cover F is provided with a bent edge forming a groove G, which may be fitted over .the loop portion D on the top, and the width of the groove G is slightly less than the width of the loop portion D, so that the cover F is tightly held in place by springpressure in addition to the friction between the parts. The slant of the bent portion H of the'cover corresponds to the outward flare of the upwardly-bent portion E of the top, so that as the cover is placed in position a wedging action is obtained the farther the cover is pressed down upon the can.

I113 it will be seen that the lip of the loop portion D does not touch the upwardlybent portion E of the top before the cover is placed in position. In Fig. 1 with the cover in position it will be seen that the end of the lip is pressed tightly against the daring portion E of the-top and tends to'press the portion E against the portion H of the cover, thus increasing the frictional contact. In other words, the pressure perfects the friction and aids in holding the cover F in place. When the die for making the parts becomes worn, the fit is not apt to be as tight as when the dies are new, and this outside pressure of the lip of the loop portion D forces the loop against the cover and makes a tight fit under all conditions. By this construction it will also be seen that provision is afiorded for prying the cover F open without interfering with the'construction of the can-th at is to say, that after the can has once been opened it may be closed again as tightly as it was originally closed.

According to the construction described it will be seen that the cover may readily be opened by leverage. It is only necessary to apply leverage to a suitable instrument inserted between the rim of the can and the outer edge of the cover, in which case the cover is readily pried off.

Obviously some features of this invention may be used without others and the invention may be embodied in widely-varying of the loop portion, thereby increasing the friction between the parts, for maintaining the cover in place, for substantially the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

inward bend of the upper portion of the can, the inner faces of the said bent portion having an outward flare, and a cover, the edges :5 of which terminate above the first inward bend of the top portion of the can and are bent into the form of a groove, of less width than the loop portion of the can, said cover also conforming to the outward flare of the inner faces of said loop portion, whereby when the I cover is placed in position upon the can or receptacle, the inside edge of the spring-lip of the loop is pressed against theinner walls EDMUND ECKAR'I.

Witnesses:

JOHN ZOELLNEE, JOHN RAABE. 

